March 25, 2021 Author's Note | The Supreme Court of Canada released it's 6-3 decision today finding Canada's carbon tax to be constitutional. Read the Case in Brief or full reasons. On June 21, 2018, Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (the Act) came into effect. Part 1 of the Act … [Read more...]
BENCHPRESS | Challenges to the Constitution, Canada Labour Code and an insurance policy
Constitutional Challenge: Third parties can profit from sex work R v Anwar, 2020 ONCJ 103 Hamad Anwar and Tiffany Harvey were charged for running an escort service in London, O.N. They employed several adult women, providing vacation time and benefits. Specifically, they were charged with offences … [Read more...]
Social Media Terms of Use: I agree?
We’ve all done it. Scrolled quickly through legal terms and clicked “I Agree” without reading a word. If you’re like me, you think, well how bad can these terms and conditions be? Everyone is using this app. But what exactly are you agreeing to? In this column, we’ll look at the terms of use for … [Read more...]
44-4: Climate Change
Volume 44-4 Mar/Apr 2020 Full PDF of this issue Table of Contents Feature Articles: Climate Change Special Report: Children's Stories and the Law Departments Columns Climate change is one of today’s hottest topics. This issue looks at different aspects of the topic – from … [Read more...]
44-3: 20/20
Volume 44-3 Jan/Feb 2020 Full PDF of this issue Table of Contents Feature Articles: 20/20 Looking Back Special Report: Rural Law Departments Columns The beginning of a new year is a time to reflect on the past. In this issue, we’re looking back at important changes to the … [Read more...]
Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice System
20/20: Looking back over the last 20 years In April 2003, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) replaced the Young Offenders Act. The YCJA sets out the justice system that applies to young persons – aged 12 to 17 – charged with an offence in Canada. Children under 12 cannot be charged with a … [Read more...]
Crime in Rural Alberta
Rural crime is a problem in Alberta. In the city, if you have a security alarm on your home, you can realistically expect it to be effective. In the country, who is going to hear the alarm? How long will it take for a police response? Before moving to an acreage, I (Dave) spent most of my life … [Read more...]
BENCHPRESS | Subway Pictograms, Roads on Reserve and Employee Attitudes
Subway Pictogram: Warning sign or law? Kosoian v Société de transport de Montréal, 2019 SCC 59 On May 13, 2009, Ms. Kosoian rode a down escalator in one of Montreal’s subway stations. She didn’t hold the handrail. A police officer saw this and ordered her to hold the handrail or he would issue her … [Read more...]
BenchPress – Vol 44-2
Wines from the West Bank not “Products of Israel” Kattenburg v Canada (Attorney General), 2019 FC 1003 The applicant, Dr. Kattenburg, is described as a wine lover and activist. He filed a complaint with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that wines from the West Bank and sold in Canada … [Read more...]
Sexting: What’s the big deal?
What is sexting? Is it illegal? What is consent? Let's dive straight into one of the most controversial topics among youth today. Sometimes the laws are the same for youth, sometimes they are different. Our new Youth & the Law column aims to help readers better understand legal topics affecting … [Read more...]
